Door and step operating mechanism for passenger railway-cars.



1 J. H. E. BRANSON. DOOR AND STEP OPBRATINGMBOHANISM FOR PASSENGERRAILWAY CARS. 1,014,863.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22, 1911.

Patented Jan. 16, 1912.

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I V A TTORNEY W 01 AMMw J. H. E. BRANSON. DOOR AND STEP OPERATINGMECHANISM FOR PASSENGER RAILWAY CARS.

APPLICATION FILED MAILZZ, 1911. 1,014,863., Patented Jan. 16,1912.

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NVENTOIj' WWW I WITNESSES A TTORNE Y J. H. E. BRANSON.

DOOR AND STEP OPERATING MECHANISM FOR PASSENGER RAILWAY CARS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22, 1911.

1,014,863. Pat ented Jan.16,1912

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A TTORNE Y COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.,\vAsmN 11111111 c J. H. E. BRANSON.DOOR AND STEP-OPERATING MECHANISM FOR PASSENGER RAILWAY CARS.

APPLICATION IILED MAR. 22, 1911.

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A TTORNEY mi. W'OADMWK J. H. E. BRANSON. DOOR AND STEP OPERATINGMECHANISM FOR PASSENGER RAILWAY CARS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22, 1911. I

1,014,863. Patented Jan. 16, 1912,

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. Patented Jan. 16, 1912.

WITNESSES I r I v ATTORNE Y COLUMBIA Pumommlm c0.. WASHINGTON, u.

JAMES H. E. BRANSON, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DOOR AND STEP OPERATING MECHANISM FOR PASSENGER RAILWAY-CARS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 16,1912.

Application filed March 22, 1911. 0 Serial No. 616,103.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. E. BRAN- soN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at the city of Philadelphia, in the county ofPhiladelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Door and Step Operating Mechanism for PassengerRailway-Cars, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to manual means for operating mechanism toopen and close car doors and a movable step in closable platform railwaycars of a type which have become known as pay-within-cars, either from amotormans station, or a conductors station or in case of emergency, toopen the doors and lower the steps on both sides of the car by a personfrom within the car or by a person outside of the car, to enablepassengers to be quickly freed from the car.

The principal object of my present invention is to provide a closableplatform passenger car with hinged doubletwin doors shiftable withamovable step to provide safe entrance or exit for passengers to or fromthe car, the arrangement being such as that opening of the hingeddouble-twin doors and step on one side is effected simultaneously from amotormans station on the platform or the hinged double-twin doors openedand a step lowered on the opposite side from the conductors station inthe rear of the platform or in case of emergency the hinged double-twindoors opened and the steps lowered on both sides of the platform by apassenger from inside of the car or by a stranger outside of the car, toenable passengers to be quickly and safely freed from the car.

My invention stated in general terms, consistsof a passenger railwaycar,constructively arranged in substantially the manner hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

The nature and scope of. my present invention will be more fullyunderstood from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings form ing part hereof, in which- Figure 1, is afragmentary side elevation of a passenger railway car and in brokensection of one side to show parts of an emergency mechanism operativefrom the inside of the car to open doors and lower a step,

mans station for controlling the mechanism to operate one set of doorsand a step on one side of the car and also showing in section one of therods and crank and lockpin of said means in connection with theemergency means of the car; the said views showing the said lockingmeans in two different positions at the said motormans station. Fig. 6,is a top or plan View of Fig. 4. Figs. 7 and 8, are respectively,enlarged sectional-elevational views on the line a, z, of Fig. 2, of thesaid locking means, located about the conductors station for controllingthe mechanism to operate one set of doors and a step on theopposite sideof the car and also showing in section one of the rods and crank andlock-pin of said means in connection with the emergency means of thecar; the said views showing said locking-means in two differentpositions at the said conductors station. Fig. 9, is a top or plan viewof Fig. 7 Fig. 10, is a bottom plan view, similar to Fig. 2, with thecar frame-work removed to expose more fully the mechanisms actuated fromrespectively the motorman and conductor stations, for controlling thedoors and steps of the car, and also in this view is shown the emergencyoperating mechanism, for opening the doors on both sides of the car andlowering the steps thereof. Fig. 11, is a sectional-elevational viewsimilar to Fig. 3, except that the car frame-work is removed in order todisclose the conductors station and mechanism connected therewith foractuating the doors and a step on one side of the car, and also showingone of the emergency operating means for opening the doors on therespective sides of a car and lowering the steps thereof and Fig. 12, isa similar view to Fig. 1, except that the car framework is removed inorder to more fully disclose respectively the motorman and conductorstations and also the emergency operating means for opening the doors onboth sides of a car and lowering the steps thereof.

Referring to the drawings 4, is a platform of a closed type of car.

5, represents a portion of the main body of the car.

6, is a set of hinged double-shiftable twin doors on one side of theplatform; and 7, is an infolding step located beneath the same. Bothdoors 6 and step 7 operate in unison and are controlled from themotormans station X, located on the platform 1.

6 is a set of hinged double-twin doors on the opposite side of theplatform from the doors 6. 7 is an infolding step located beneath thesaid doors. Both doors 6 and step 7 operate in unison and are controlledfrom the conductors station X located where the main body of the carmerges into the platform as indicated by the bracket a, at the upperportion in Figs. 1 and 2.

I have further provided an emergency means, which may be operated from.either inside the body of the car or outside thereof.

1 will first confine myself to the means for operating the doors 6 andthe step 7, from the motormans station X. 10 is a hand-crank removablysecured to a vertical rotatable shaft 10 provided on the platform. Onthe bottom of the shaft 10", and below the platform of the car issecured a crank 12, to the outer end of which is pivoted aconnecting-rod 24. This rod is pivoted to one end of a crank 25, theopposite end of which is secured to a vertical rotatable shaft 21. Thisshaft is held in suitable bearings at the top and bottom of the car andhas one section of the hinged double-twin doors 6, secured thereto. Onthe opposite side of the doors 6, and adjacent to the car body isarranged a vertically rotatable shaft 21, similar to the shaft 21, andthis shaft has secured thereto another section of the hinged doors 6.The shaft 21, has secured at its upper end a crank 23, as clearly shownin Figs. 10 and 12. The shaft 21, has secured to its upper end a crank22. The outer ends of these cranks are connected by a rod 23, Figs. 10and 12, so that rotation of one shaft will cause a correspondingrotation of the other. Secured to the connecting-rod 24:, at 27, is aconnecting-rod 28, which is pivoted to the outer end of a crank 29, theopposite end of said crank being secured to a rotatable horizontal shaft30, held in bearings on the side of the platform 4. Secured to thisshaft 30, by suitable means is the infolding step 7, clearly shown inFigs. 2 and 3, in which the doors are shown open and the step down. Atthe top and bottom of the doors, I have provided brackets 33 and 333which carry rollers 32 and 32 The rollers 32, are adapted to enterguides or trackways 31, at the top of the car, and thus to guide theinner sections of the doors into infolded condition onto the outersections thereof in their open p0- sitions and when the doors are inclosed position to lock the same against being opened until the shafts21 and 21, are operated from either station X or X The rollers 32, areadapted to fit back of a curved guide 31 when the doors are in theirclosed position and thus to effectively lock the same at the bottomagainst any outward movement. Inward movement is prevented by the doorsclosing against the platform of the car as will be apparent from Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 2, if a motorman is required to close the doors andfold the step he turns the operating handle 10, to the right whichthrough the shaft 10*, will turn the crank 12, about its axis thuspushing on the rods 24 and 28. The rod 2 1, will turn the crank 25, andthus rotate the vertical shaft 21 and as before explained through theconnecting-rod 23, the shaft 21, will also be turned. The outer ends ofthe sections of the doors secured to the respective shafts mustnecessarily move toward the center of the door, and as the othersections are controlled by the rollers 32, in the guideways 31, theymust rotate on their hinges which secure them to the first named sec--tions and thus a closing effect of the doors is obtained. With themovement of the rod 28, the crank 29, is rotated about its axis whichturns the shaft 30, and the step secured thereto until this step isfolded under the doors, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The doors 6 and step 7*, are operated from the conductors station X inexactly the same manner as those operated from the motormans station.These doors are shown closed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and the step infolded.

10, is a hand-crank removably secured. to a vertical rotatable shaft 10provided with suitable bearings for supporting the same in position. Onthe bottom of said shaft is secured a crank 12, to the outer end ofwhich is pivoted a connecting-rod 24 This rod is pivoted to one end of acrank 25 the opposite end of which is secured to a vertical rotatableshaft 21, which is a duplicate of the shaft 21, as hereinbeforedescribed. Through the shaft 21, crank 22, connecting rod 23, crank 23*,and vertical rotatable shaft 21, the doors are opened and closed.Through the rod 28*, and horizontal shaft 30, the step is operated.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, if the conductor is requiredto open the doors and lower the step he turns the hand-crank 10, to theright, which through the shaft 10 will turn the crank 12 about its axisthus pulling on the rods 24: and 28 The rod 2 1 will turn the crank 25*,

and thus rotate the vertical shaft 21, and through the connecting-rod23, and cranks 22 and 23*, the vertical shaft 21*, is rotated. Themovement of the doors 6 and step 7 is then exactly the same, as themovement described, for the doors 6 and step 7.

By rotating the cranks 12 and 25, about their axes to a point Where theconnectingrod 24 is practically'on a dead center or slightly past suchposition I have established a locking-means, whereby the doors can onlybe. closed or the step infolded by actually turning the hand-crank 10.The same locking-means is provided and operative through the cranks 12and 25 and rod 24, of the conductors station.

It may be necessary at times in case of panic or other occurrences tooperate bot-h the doors 6 and 6, at the same time and this can readilybe done from inside or outside of the car, in the following manner :Apin 12, extends upward and is carried by the crank 12, at the motormansstation. Loosely mounted on the vertical shaft 10, and in alinement withthe pin 12*, is a crank 11, which is preferably curved and has What istermed a pocket 12 To the outer end of the crank 11, is pivoted a rod13, the opposite end of which is secured to an arm 14:, of a bell-cranklever 17 which is pivoted to a bracket 15. The crank 12, at theconductors station X also carries a projecting pin 12, secured to thevertical shaft 10, and in alinement with said pin is a crank 11*, whichis also curved to provide a pocket 12 A rod 40, connects the outer endof the crank 11", with the outer end of the arm 14, of the bell-cranklever 17. To each arm 16, of the bell-crank lever 17 are connected rods18 and 18 respectively, the other ends of which rods engage the outerend of cranks 19 and 37. The inner end of the cranks 19 and 37, aresecured to shafts 20 and 38, and on the opposite ends of said shaft-s 20and 38, are secured other cranks 20 and 38", respectively, the outerends of which engage vertical rods 36 and 36. These rods arerespectively attached to one of the arms of bell-crank levers 34 and 34The other arms of said bell-crank levers terminate in handles 35 and 35.It will thus be seen by referring to Figs. 10, 11 and 12, that bypulling down 011 the handle 35, an upward movement will be imparted tothe rod 36, which through the crank 38 will rotate the shaft 38, and bymeans of the crank 37, push on the rod 18*, to operate the bell-cranklever 17, to which is connected the rods 13 and 40, and thus to cause apull upon the said rods, which in turn will rotate the cranks 11 and 11,around their pivots, and if both doors are closed a pressure will beexerted against the pins 12 and 12, to cause rotation of the cranks 12and 12 and hence of the operation of both sets of doors and steps, andthe same result will be de-' the car to open and the step beneath to belowered into a position to step thereon. A full understanding of thearrangement of the aforesaid locking-device will be had upon referenceto Figs. 4 to 9, inclusive of the drawings.

It will be manifestly obvious in respect to the foregoing detailedarrangement of my invention that modifications may be made in some ofthe details without departing from the real scope of my said invention,provided the operation of the doors and a step in unison are effectedmanually on one side of the platform from the motormans station X, orthe doors and a step on the other side of the plat-form in unison areeflected manually from the conductors station X or in case of emergency,the doors and steps on both sides are manually operated by a passengerfrom inside the car or by a person outside of the said car.

Having thus described the nature and objects of my invention, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A passengerrailway-car provided with a platform having shiftable doors and movablesteps, an operating station on the platform, an operating station inrear of the platform and mechanism connected with said stations anddoors and steps, the doors and step on one side being operative from thestation of said platform and the doors and step on the other side beingoperative from the station in rear of said platform, and an emergencymeans in operative relation with said mechanism and arranged both insideand outside of the car to operate both sets of said doors, and steps.

2. A passenger railway-car provided with a platform having hingeddouble-twin doors and movable steps, a motormans station on theplatform, a conductors station in rear of the platform, mechanismconnected with both of said stations and doors and steps, the doors andstep on one side being operative from said motormans station, and thedoors and step on the other side being operative from the conductorsstation, and emergency means inside and outside of the car, in operativerelation with said mechanism, to actuate the doors and steps on bothsides of said car.

3. A passenger railway-car provided with a platform having hinged doorsand folding steps, a motormans station on the platform, a conductorsstation in the rear of the platform, mechanism connected with saidstations and doors and steps, the doors and step on one side beingoperative from said motormans station and the doors and step on theother side being operative from said conductors station, locking-meansconnected with said mechanism to prevent,

when the doors are open and a step is lowered, the movement of the doorsand a step on either side of said car until manually operated fromeither the said motor'mans or conductors station, emergency connectionsand means connected with the same to operate the doors and steps on bothsides of said car. a V

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my signature in the presence oftWo subscribing Witnesses.

JAMES H. E. BRANSON. Witnesses:

THOMAS M. SMITH, ELISABETH A. SHELDRAKE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

